Haggerty's NHL Power Rankings: Lightning strikes

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Haggerty's NHL Power Rankings: Lightning strikes

Things are starting to take shape in both the East and the West where it looks like there could be a new sheriff in the Atlantic Division with the Lightning, Canadiens and Red Wings all pushing hard at the Boston Bruins. Some old dogs continue to rise, however, as the Penguins are proving with a four-game winning streak that’s vaulted them to the top of the Metro Division. One team to keep an eye on in the West: the Vancouver Canucks.

Jim Benning and Willie Desjardins have that team playing hard, the Sedins are back to point-per-game players and Radim Vrbata has been a perfect fit with them while Ryan Miller has won eight of his first nine starts. That’s all the Western Conference, and the Pacific Division, needed was another team capable of doing some damage.

Lamp-lighters

1. Anaheim Ducks (10-3-0, rank last week: 1) - Accept no substitutes, the Ducks were the unmitigated kings of October this season in the NHL.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (8-3-1, rank last week: 12) – All they’ve done with Victor Hedman injured is vault to the top of the Eastern Conference. That’s pretty impressive for a Bolts team that looks legit.

3. Vancouver Canucks (8-3-0, rank last week: 16) – A four game-winning streak has pushed Vancouver closer to the top, and Ryan Miller is 8-1 in nine starts. Watch out for them.

4. Montreal Canadiens (8-3-1, rank last week: 2) – The Canadiens were feeling pretty good about themselves until getting a dose of the Western Conference from Edmonton and Vancouver.

5. Minnesota Wild (7-3-0, rank last week: 14) – Impressive comeback, character win against the Bruins in the third period one night after giving up five goals to the Rangers in the third period. Minny has got something going on.

Back of the pack

21. Florida Panthers (4-2-3, rank last week: 23) – They’ve played the fewest games in the league thus far, and have only allowed two goals per game. Roberto Luongo makes them a tough out.

22. Winnipeg Jets (6-5-1, rank last week: 26) – The Jets are winning more than they’re losing, but it’s tough to be a believer in this team or a reinvigorated Ondrej Pavelec.

23. Washington Capitals (4-5-2, rank last week: 13) – The Capitals have lost four in a row, and Barry Trotz is threatening changes if the players can’t figure it out themselves. The honeymoon in Wash is O-V-A.

24. Edmonton Oilers (4-6-1, rank last week: 28) – The Oilers have proven they’d be competitive in the East, at least.

25. Philadelphia Flyers (4-5-2, rank last week: 24) – It’s boom or bust for a Flyers team with an atrocious defense.

Whitewashed

26. Colorado Avalanche (3-5-3, rank last week: 27) – At least Nathan MacKinnon is getting untracked, but the Avs are taking themselves out of the game with their bad start.

27. Columbus Blue Jackets (4-7-0, rank last week: 8) – The Black Knight of the NHL has finally taken on more than a flesh wound. Losing Nathan Horton, Brandon Dubinsky and Sergei Bobrovsky along with a host of others has finally taken its toll.

28. Arizona Coyotes (4-6-1, rank last week: 25) – It’s been a bad start for a defensive nightmare with the Coyotes, but on the bright side they’re now pushing for an invite into the Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel sweepstakes.

29. Carolina Hurricanes (2-6-2, rank last week: 30) – The Canes were the last NHL team to win a game, but now they’ve won two games in a row. Guys like Jiri Tlusty are stepping up.